Paul’s practice is primarily property based, with four main specialisms: (1) leasehold reform (enfranchisement) claims, including 1967 and 1993 Act work (2) landlord & tenant, both residential and commercial including service charge disputes, breach of covenant, forfeiture and Right to Manage claims (3) real property often comprising adverse possession and s.84 restrictive covenant applications (4) construction including extensive experience of cladding and NHBC related building defect claims, Party Wall Act matters and s.106 planning disputes, plus some international work, particularly work from Gibraltar.
He regularly appears in the Business & Property Courts (Chancery) and Upper Tribunal (Land Chamber), and has extensive experience of each of the Residential Property, Land Registration and Agricultural Land and Drainage First-tier Tribunals. Given the breadth and legally complex nature of his work Paul also undertakes a range of appellate work in the UT, CA and above, including the Privy Council.
Notable recent cases include Malik v Malik (Ch Appeal), the scope and effect of the Covid automatic stay; Vale Court (Freehold) v Carey-Morgan (CLCC), nominee purchaser’s claims for breach of trust and fiduciary duty; Patrick v Thornham PC (UT), general boundary rule and estoppel; Docklock v Christo & Co (Ch) accounts & inquiry, quantum meruit and Re L principles on setting aside judgments; Dunleavy & Ors v NHBC Building Control Services Ltd (CA), liability of Approved Inspectors under DPA 1972; Fredricksson v Laurie House RTM (CLCC), disrepair and specific performance; Mayhew v O’Connor (FtT (LReg)) adverse possession; and Probitas v Sandilands (CLCC) developer’s claim for prescriptive rights of way.
Other notable appellate cases include Natt v Osman (validity of non-compliant Initial Notice) and Quilter v HDL (subsequent events and measure of damages) and Thevarajah v Riordan (SC), relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9; and, Crew v London & Continental (UT), adverse possession and date of knowledge. Current litigation includes AC v Gracestone (A&I against managing agent), Judicial Review claim in £100m s106A application and multiple cladding and fire safety defects cases.
"Paul Letman specialises in real estate litigation, covering the full range of property matters. He is an expert in restrictive covenants, contract disputes, leasehold matters, enfranchisement and rights of way cases. He has vast experience in appearing in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Real Estate Litigation)
"Paul provides thoughtful and clear advice on real estate litigation matters."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Real Estate Litigation)
"Paul is a very good, diligent lawyer who is very quick to grasp the issues in a case."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Real Estate Litigation)
"Paul Letman's expertise in building-related property disputes is incredible."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Real Estate Litigation)
"Paul Letman of Falcon Chambers has extensive experience in the intersection of residential property and construction law. He often advises on National House Building Council claims, building defect cases and Building Safety Act matters."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Construction )
"Paul Letman is a great team player. He gets into the detail and he is great at setting the agenda for hearings."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Construction )
"He is very good – he's diligent and very quick to grasp the issues."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Construction )
"Paul is hard-working, clever and very experienced in this area."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025 (Construction )
"Even in cases of extreme complexity, Paul is superb at grasping all of the relevant issues and articulating them succinctly. He is an incredibly impressive advocate and an asset to any team."Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2025
"Paul Letman's advocacy is superb. His attitude with clients is brilliant and they find him available and clear."
"Paul's attention to detail is excellent and he is good on his feet."
"Paul is proactive, strategic, calm under pressure and a real team player."Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2024
"Paul Letman demonstrates a strong understanding of the area involved, both legally but also the underlying commercial aspects."Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023
‘Paul is unflappable and remains completely calm under pressure. He makes a conscious effort to ensure the clients views are heard, and where appropriate, those instructions implemented. However, as an extremely confident advocate, he will calmly yet firmly deliver the correct advice if he feels an ill-advised approach is being considered. ’Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2023More published comments
